Bell transformer switching system



Jime 18, 1957 B. J. KLOSE 2,796,560

BELL TRANSFORMER SWITCHING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 23, 1955 mmwmmv INVENTOR.

50mm! J KLosE.

United States Patent BELL TRANSFSRMER SWITCHING SYSTEM Burton J. Klose,Burlingame, Calif.

Application August 23, 1955, Serial No. 530,127

4 Claims. c1. 317-157.6)

My present invention relates to an improved doorbell system and moreparticularly to a compact assembly in which the entire system can beconveniently installed adjacent a doorway in the outer wall of abuilding.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a novel and unitaryassembly of parts embodying a doorbell voltage providing transformer anda controlling switch or push button connected directly in the primarycircuit of the transformer.

Another object is to provide a bell system in which the necessityformaintaining the transformer in a permanently energized condition isavoided.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means for mountinga bell transformer and a bell circuit controlling switch or push buttonin a novel manner and within a single conventional conduit junction box.

A further object of the invention is to provide a doorbell system inwhich the doorbell operating switch is mounted in an exposed position atthe exterior of the building and supported by a bracket carried by aconduit junction box within which said bracket also supports a lowvoltage bell operating transformer.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be in part, evidentto those skilled in the art in part pointing out whereinafter inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown by wayof illustration and not of limitation, a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a vertical elevation partially in section showing apreferred arrangement in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 2 is a plan view of the bracket of Figure 1, which serves as amounting for both the control switch and a bell transformer.

It is generally the practice in doorbell systems to employ a transformerthat is generally located in the basement or at some remote point withinthe building with its primary permanently connected to the power orhouse lighting circuit and then connecting the low voltage side of thetransformer to the push button and the bell or chimes with ordinary bellwire. This arrangement often requires a considerable amount of the bellwire and because of its nature as a single conductor for each side ofthe line, great care must be exercised in threading the bell wirethrough the partitions. In these prior art systems the primary windingof the bell transformer is permanently connected in the power line andit thus constitutes a source of expense and constitutes a possible firehazard.

To overcome the above disadvantages, I propose to employ a conventionalbell transformer, but instead of maintaining the transformer in anenergized condition I energize the transformer primary circuit through apush button type of power controlling switch which is employed in thesame manner as is the bell ringing push button switch now in common use.This switch is connectecf'in series with the primary or high voltagecircuit of the transformer 21,795,560 Patented June 18, 1957 ice 2 insuch a way that the transformer is energized only when the push buttonis operated.

In addition to the above advantages, my invention also because of itscompact nature, provides a bell wiring systern which can be economicallyand conveniently installed with a minimum of difficulty.

For a consideration of what I believe to be my invention, reference isnow made to the accompanying drawing wherein the numeral 10 designates astud of a building wall with a facing of plaster or sheathing 11 inwhich there is an opening 12. Mounted directly upon the stud 10 by meansof a pair of lugs 13, there is a conduit junction box 14 having theusual knock-out blanks or discs through which external wiringconnections may be extended. The junction box 14 is open along onevertical side and removably secured across its open side, there is abracket 15 of modified form that serves as a support for a bell circuittransformer 16. On the outer side of this bracket 15 there is a pushbutton switch 17, which is operated by a push button 18 that extendsoutward. As a finish and means of concealment, I also show a finishplate 19 which is secured to the bracket 15 and over the v the bracketsnow used with conduit junction boxes such as are now employed in thehouse wiring systems for the light switches. I

Q A feature of the present invention, as distinguished from prior artusage, is that I propose to mount the bell circuit transformer in thejunction box immediately adjacent the bell circuit control switch andconnect the primary of the transformer 16 directly to the power servicecircuit through the switch 17 by conductors 21.

From the secondary of the transformer 16 I show bell wire conductors 22that extend to the doorbell or a chime (not shown), which in themajority of cases will be mounted on the inner side of the wall orpartition closely adjacent the doorway where the doorbell operated pushbutton 18 is located. In this way I eliminate the long and complicatedbell wiring system such as is required when the bell transformer 16 islocated in a more remote point, as for example in the basement or atticof a building.

As illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing, the bracket 15 followsclosely the form of those brackets used for mounting a wall switch in ajunction box. The bracket 15 has the usual scored break-off portions 23and breakoff tabs 24 at each end thereof and also elongated holes 25which permit a proper positioning and/or centering of the bracket overthe open side of the junction box 14. Like the standard brackets it alsohas properly spaced and threaded holes 26 to accommodate the screws 20which serve to secure the finish plate 19 over the opening in the wallwhere the junction box 14 is mounted. This bracket 15, however, differsfrom the conventional form in that it also has a suitably dimensionedand drilled rectangular central portion 27 upon which the transformer16, of standard dimensions, may be conveniently secured. This centralportion 27 of the bracket 15 is also set-back to provide a space for thebell circuit controlling switch 17 mounted or shown upon the outer sidethereof.

While I have, for the sake of clearness and in order to disclose theinvention so that the same can be readily understood, described andillustrated a specific device and arrangement, I desire to have itunderstood that this invention is not limited to the particular meansdisclosed, but may be embodied in other ways that will suggestthemselves to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that thisinvention is new and all such changes as come within the scope of theappended claims are to be considered as part of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

I. In a door bell system, the combination of a conduit junction boxmounted in an open recess in a partition having an open side exposed insaid recess opening, a bracket supported by and extending across theopen side of said junction box and secured thereto at both ends, atransformer mounted upon the one side of said bracket and enclosedwithin said junction box, a transformer primary circuit controllingswitch mounted upon the other side of said bracket, and a switchoperating member extending outwardly from the open recess in saidpartition.

2. In a door bell system, the combination of a conduit junction boxhaving an open side, said junction box having means for mounting uponthe studding of a partition with its open side exposed in a recessedwall opening, a bracket having a back and front removably mounted uponsaid junction box and secured at both ends across the open side thereof,a transformer having primary and secondary windings mounted upon theback of said bracket and enclosed within said junction box, a circuitcontrolling switch mounted upon the front of said bracket, a wall outletcovering plate also carried by said bracket and concealing said junctionbox, and means extending through said wall outlet covering plate foroperating said switch.

3. In a transformer bell system, the combination of a conduit junctionbox having an open side, said junction box having means for attachingsame to the studding of a partition with its open side forming a recessin a wall opening, a bracket removably mounted upon said junction'boxand secured at both ends across the open side thereof, a transformerhaving primary and secondary switch mounted upon said bracket andconnected to control the primary winding connection of said transformerwith a power source, means for operating said switch extending outwardlyfrom the recess formed by said junction box in said wall opening, and awall opening cover plate secured to and carried by said bracket havingan opening through which said switch operating means extends for manualoperation.

4. In a transformer door bell system, the combination of a conduitjunction box having an open side and mounting lugs for attaching it tothe studding of a partition and forming a recess at a wall opening, abracket secured to the upper and lower walls of said junction box andextending vertically across its open side, a bell circuit transwindingsmounted upon and behind said bracket and enformer having primary andsecondary windings mounted upon the inner side of said bracket andenclosed within said junction box, a normally open push button switchconnected to control the primary winding circuit connection of saidtransformer mounted upon the outer side of said bracket, and a coverplate through which the push button of said switch extends carried bysaid bracket in a junction box concealing position over said Wallopening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,839,348 Shaw Jan. 5, 1932 1,883,893 Flaherty Oct. 25, 1932 1,946,176Mutscheller Feb. 6, 1934 2,191,637 \Vier Feb. 27, 1940 2,202,535Pedatella May 28, 1940 2,304,923 Jackson Dec. 15, 1942 2,574,783 Heddinget al Nov. 13, 1951 OTHER REFERENCES Publication: Short Wave Craft,October 1934, p. 336.

